The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-24
ONE OF BARNUM,s LIONS.
How Tim Buckley Defended the Beast-Mrs
GiIligan In the Lions Den.

OnHSan IN the Lions Den
Bridgeport Conn., Special.
MIN" was a prisoner in the burning building.
This thought stimulated Tim Buckley to an act
of herOism. At the risk of his own life he
rushed to the lions cage. unlocked it and called
the great shaggy beast out. The lion followed
him with the docility of a Newfoundland dog.
Gu: of the blazing building was Tim followed by
MIN" At the sight of the escaping lion one OF
the gallant Bridgeport policemen whipped out
his revolver and opened fusillade. How many
shots if any. took effect upon tia poor beast is
not known. but before the policeman could re-
load his pistol Buckley rushed at him, furious
with rage and cried:
'sIf You kill that lion will kiln you"
The novel spectacle Of q man defending the
life of lion attracted the attention of the i'm
mense crowd which had gathered at the fire.
They pressed in upon poor Tim and MIN" with
band wagon had not altogether broken the proud
spirit Of the Numdian lion. With terrific roar
he reused himself, and, scattering the crowd
right and left. leaped the high fence surrounding
the grounds and disappeared.
His subsequent fate ID perhaps best told in the
words of Mrs. Christina Gilligan, who resides
with her mother in small quarters over grocery
store at the corner of Grove street and Wood
avenue. Mrs. Gillgan is tall and somewhat
angular She is given to outdoor pursuits. drives
q farm wagon and keeps several cows In small
shed adj joining the store.
Il was" says Mrs. Gllligan, s'awoke about
1890 by noise in the cow-shed. l knew some
thing was the matter with the critters, and
went down to find out what the trouble.
Was dressed2 Well, not quite much be
now. AS / got to the door of the cowshed
saw some critter lying on its stomick right on
top of nv red cow, and kind of reaching for the
little heifer which was tother side of the cow. l
didn't know what it was, but knew it had no
business there, SO l ups with bale stick and
give it poke. / didn't move say nothin'
Then says to myself I'll fix it, So steps
back few feet and then makes run and brings
the bale stick down ker-whack
Goodness me, yer ought to have heard the
roar it let out. and then it turned around its
head, with it's mouth big peck measure.
and / it was lion. How did / know 1t
was lion? Well, 1 guess you'd hev known If
you'd seen it. Goodness me, how / did scoot.
l never stopped till 1 got to the attic, and then
1 screamed perlice and murder l couldn't
scream lions. cause nobody would hev under
erood me. Finally Henry Breen. who lives OPP
posite he came over with his brothers rife, and
I motioned him to climb on the cow-shed. The
lion a-rippin' and a-tearin' of my young
heifer, and mother she CRYING and the cow
was believing and there wasn't . policeman in
sight. Well. Henry he got on the cow-shed and
blazed away and killed the lion. Yes sir, that
dead lion lay right there by the cow-shed till
noon to day and half Bridgeport's been here to
look at it. l don't suppose" this most ruefully)
that I'll meet another lion in some time. but
I'm just big fool that didn't hev that ere lion
dragged into the barn and charge % cents to
look at him. I'd hev made the price of my
heifer, which is bound to die, il I had. just
wait till kstch another lion." she added, with
tears in her eyes, land we'll see if don't make
as good a Snowman old Barnum."